Menard not rebuilding, but reloading under Gatlin

Menard defensive back Ethan Bordelon (31, left) attempts to tackle Bolton running back Ken Mollet (2) last season. Bordelon will be one of the Eagles' defensive leaders this season.(Photo: Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk)Buy Photo

(EDIT: The original article highlighted a player who is no longer on the team.)

Strengths

In typical Menard fashion, its play inside the trenches will be key as an experienced offensive line and defensive front seven will look to make plays.

Senior guard Drake Carroll is one of the best offensive linemen in Central Louisiana, and he leads a front line that will hope to create holes for senior running back Roman Armstrong and to keep quarterback Jonathan Viator upright.

The defense will once again be a hard-hitting one as Ethan Bordelon leads a strong secondary.

Question Marks

There was a lot of turnover this offseason for the Eagles, as they lost a talented senior class, but none of the losses was bigger than running back Landon Baronne and linebacker Sean Badeaux.

Baronne recovered from an injury-plagued junior year to rush for 25 touchdowns and to be one of the top three running backs in the area, while Badeaux’s 143 tackles were good enough to net him All-Cenla and LSWA Class 2A Defensive Player of the Year honors.

While it might appear to be a rebuilding year for his team, new Eagles coach Chris Gatlin believes it will be more of a retooling effort, as new starters will get to showcase what they can do.

Bottom Line

Life in the brutal Division III is not fair, as Menard went 8-2 in the regular season last year, but had to play on the road at Metairie Park Country Day in the first round.

The Eagles should be able to get off to another fast start as it opens with Bolton, Buckeye, Avoyelles and University Academy, while kicking off its District 3-2A slate with Lakeview at home in Week 6.

However, the final four games will be pivotal for seeding, as three of those are on the road — including Many in Week 7 and Red River in Week 10. The lone home game in that stretch — senior night against Winnfield in Week 8 — is no walk in the park either.

Menard will finish over .500 for the ninth year in a row, but will that be enough to avoid Division III’s heavy hitters in the first round?